Students of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens have the rare opportunity to hear lectures directly inside museums. These lectures are made more interesting with object lessons, meaning that the professors use actual artifacts to explain their points. The museums of Athens are especially rich in relics from the archaic period of Greece, which is the era before the Persian War in 480 B.C. The director of the school pays special attention to this period, helping students connect history with the physical objects that remain from ancient times.
A Broad Range of Subjects
In addition to archaeology, the faculty provides lectures on history, poetry, politics, and other related topics. This broad education ensures that students understand not only the physical remains of the past but also the culture, literature, and institutions that shaped Greek civilization Kukeri Carnival.
Cooperation Between National Schools
The students also benefit from the presence of other foreign archaeological schools in Athens. These institutions were founded by the English, French, German, and Austrian governments. All of the national schools cooperate closely. They hold consultations to decide on their areas of research, so that each institution can focus on a different field without duplicating the work of others.
Among these schools, the American School is considered the strongest, followed by the French, then the German, and finally the English. The German school, however, is particularly fortunate because it is directed by Dr. Wilhelm Dörpfeld, the famous archaeologist who succeeded Heinrich Schliemann in the excavations at Troy.
Shared Opportunities for Students
Students from one school are welcome to attend lectures at the others, and they also have access to each other’s libraries. This spirit of cooperation creates a wide and rich academic environment in Athens. Most of these students are preparing themselves to become professors of Greek language, literature, and archaeology. In fact, nearly all of the graduates of the American School since its founding in 1882 now hold positions at American colleges and universities.
Leadership and Management
The present director of the American School is Professor Richardson. He graduated from Yale in the class of 1869 and later became a professor of Greek language and literature at Dartmouth College. Since 1893, he has dedicated himself to leading the school in Athens. Each year, an assistant is chosen from one of the contributing colleges in the United States to support the director’s work.
For many years, Professor Thomas Day Seymour of Yale served as chairman of the school’s Managing Committee. He was succeeded by Professor Wheeler of Columbia University, who continues to guide the institution with dedication A Remarkable Discovery on the Acropolis.
Financial Challenges and the Need for Endowment
Although the school has achieved remarkable academic success, its financial situation is not completely secure. Part of its income comes from voluntary contributions by colleges and private individuals. This means that if donors withdrew their support, the school could find itself without sufficient funds. For this reason, it is strongly felt that a larger endowment is necessary to ensure the permanence and stability of the school.
A Lasting Contribution to Scholarship
Despite these financial challenges, the American School of Classical Studies has already made a lasting contribution to the study of Greek civilization. By combining lectures, museum visits, cooperation with other national schools, and field studies, it provides students with a complete and inspiring education. With stronger financial support, it has the potential to continue shaping generations of scholars who will carry forward the knowledge and legacy of ancient Greece.
